Freedom Fest, Memorial Day ceremony coming up

Memorial Day weekend in Morgan City will feature a Freedom Fest and Freedom Ride Saturday and Sunday followed by a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony Monday.
American Legion Riders Post 96 will host its Second Annual Freedom Fest and 14th Annual Freedom Ride this weekend in Morgan City. Freedom Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday by the judges’ stand at Lake End Parkway. The Freedom Ride will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium and finish at noon by the judges’ stand.
Local veterans groups will also hold a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony Monday at Cypress Park in Morgan City.
VFW Post 4222, the Marine Corps League, American Legion Post 242 and Purple Heart Outdoors will host the ceremony. There will be a rosary for veterans at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Fallen Warriors Memorial next to Cypress Park. The ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker is retired Army Sgt. Maj. Duval Arthur. A laying of wreaths procession to the memorial will follow at 11:30 a.m.
The Marine Corps League will then serve a lunch of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, sausage, rice dressing, baked beans and coleslaw from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for $8 a plate.
On Saturday and Sunday, both the fest and ride will support veterans and veteran organizations, along with area non-profit organizations, according to the event’s website.
Dock facilities are available for visitors coming by boat. Freedom Fest includes guest speakers, music, a bike show, bike games and children’s activities. Food vendors will be on hand as well.
Military veterans, both active and non-active, along with local and state dignitaries, are welcome to give short speeches between the band sets, as there will be an open microphone.
Morgan City Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi will give opening comments at 11 a.m. Saturday. Other speakers include Adam Hensgens, community outreach liaison for U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany; and U.S. Coast Guard Capt. David McClellan, commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit Morgan City.
There will be a $5 parking fee to enter the fest grounds. This helps offset costs while net proceeds support veteran organizations. A bike show and bike games will be held Saturday by the judges’ stand. Registration for the bike show is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with awards to follow at 4:30 p.m.
Registration for the Freedom Ride begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium with the ride starting at 9 a.m.
Riders will visit the Berwick Blue Star Memorial Site, American Legion Post 242 in Patterson, Franklin Peace Memorial and Chitimacha Veterans Memorial before finishing at the Lake End Parkway judges’ stand at noon. The cost is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. Jambalaya and free parking for Freedom Fest are included in the price.
Freedom Fest Music Schedule
Saturday
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Old Soul
1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Before the Savannah
3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. LA South
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. South 70
7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Natural Satisfaction
Sunday
Noon-1:30 p.m. Hal Bruni and the Branded
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Blue Eyed Soul Revue
4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Randy Jackson of Zebra
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Sledgehammer (Guy Gelso of Zebra and Steve Blaze of Lillian Axe)